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Suchit Sahni’s latest venture into sculpture is a significant departure from his earlier practice, yet it feels like a natural extension of his artistic journey. Known for his vibrant paintings of automobiles and urban narratives, Sahni now translates his fascination with movement, energy, and nostalgia into the realm of three-dimensional art. This new series of sculptures is crafted using stainless steel, fiber, and various metals, embodying fluid and playful lines that mirror the sense of dynamism captured in his paintings. These sculptures, while continuing to celebrate colour and sleek finishes, bring with them the tactile immediacy and immersive presence that only sculptural forms can provide.

From Paint to Form: A New Dimension of Expression

The use of colorful metal finishes in these sculptures reflects Sahni’s desire to extend his painterly vocabulary into new territory. His mastery of vibrant hues—previously confined to two-dimensional surfaces—now interacts with the materiality and form of sculpture, providing the audience with not just visual impact but also the possibility of touch and interaction. The shift to sculpture allows Sahni to explore the third dimension, where form, depth, and texture enhance the emotional and aesthetic experience of his work. These qualities make the objects feel alive, as if they are in constant motion, much like the urban scenes they depict.

A Nostalgic Dialogue: Growing Up with Motion

Sahni’s fascination with automobiles is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences. Growing up amidst the changing landscapes of Delhi, the buzz of bicycles, rickshaws, and motorcycles left an indelible mark on his imagination. His early sketches and observations, now transformed into vibrant sculptures, serve as a bridge between personal memory and public nostalgia. The use of metal—often associated with machines—symbolizes both the durability of these memories and the resilience of urban life.

The sculptures not only reflect Sahni’s lifelong love for motion and speed but also celebrate his longing to capture fleeting moments. Each sculpture feels like a snapshot of movement frozen in time, evoking the same thrill he experienced as a child while observing the rhythmic energy of the streets. This connection to childhood is essential, as it allows the sculptures to transcend mere depictions of vehicles and become metaphors for personal growth, discovery, and change.

Urban Life: Then and Now

The contrast between Delhi’s past and present urban life is central to Sahni’s new series. His works evoke memories of a city that was once more intimate, where human interactions were at the heart of urban life. Automobiles like rickshaws and scooters symbolized shared experiences, offering glimpses into the everyday lives of people. Today, urban life has become faster and more fragmented, marked by private cars, congested highways, and digital distractions. The shift from communal modes of transportation to individual journeys mirrors a broader societal change—where community and connection are often sacrificed for convenience and speed.

By recreating these vehicles in sculptural form, Sahni invites viewers to reflect on how urban life has evolved and to reconnect with the memories of a time when movement was not just physical but emotional and social. His sculptures capture this tension between the nostalgic past and the accelerated present, making them poignant reminders of what has been lost and what remains.

The Importance of Sculpting Urban Narratives

Sculpture, by its very nature, engages space in ways that paintings cannot. Sahni’s decision to transition to three-dimensional forms allows him to fully express his artistic vision. The viewer’s ability to move around the sculptures, engage with them from multiple angles, and feel their material presence adds a new level of meaning. These pieces are to be experienced, much like the streets and vehicles that inspired them.

In a world that is increasingly defined by disposable digital images, Sahni’s sculptures remind us of the importance of physical presence and sensory engagement. His works encourage us to pause, to reflect on the journeys we take—both literal and metaphorical—and to find beauty in the interplay of motion, memory, and form.

Conclusion

Suchit Sahni’s new sculptural series marks a bold and exciting evolution in his artistic practice. By translating the themes of movement, nostalgia, and urban energy into sculptural objects, he offers viewers a richer and more immersive experience. These sculptures celebrate the aesthetics of automobiles, acting as cultural artifacts, preserving memories of a time when life was simpler, and movement was a shared experience. In doing so, Sahni’s work becomes a tribute to the power of art to connect the past with the present, inviting us to appreciate the beauty of journeys—both personal and collective.

There was a time when the pursuit of art carried immense prestige, a time when discerning collectors viewed their acquisitions as both an investment and a reflection of cultural sophistication. Today, however, that vision appears to be fading. The current generation of affluent individuals, seduced by the allure of real estate and high-end cars, seems to have little appetite for the deeper, intangible rewards of collecting art. Art, once revered as a status symbol embodying intellect, taste, and cultural capital, is now treated like an afterthought. What happened to the prestige of art, and why does it seem to have lost its foothold in the evolving language of luxury?

A Changing Definition of Wealth

For generations, the wealthy collected art not only to flaunt their taste but also to secure a piece of history and nurture a legacy. This was not merely about financial returns but about cultivating a cultural identity. Collectors sought masterpieces to align themselves with intellectual movements, to associate with narratives that mattered, and to safeguard works that would survive them. Art had a transcendental quality—it was not confined to time or trends but carried meaning that evolved across centuries. Today, however, the modern wealthy elite chase a different dream: sprawling penthouses, exotic sports cars, and vacations on private islands. Their obsession with tangible, easily flaunted displays of wealth reflects a shift from the symbolic to the superficial.

From Culture to Commodity

Art is no longer seen as an intrinsic part of culture but increasingly reduced to a mere commodity. In an era driven by metrics, ROI, and Instagram likes, the slow, contemplative process of appreciating art feels out of sync with the breakneck pace of modern life. As a result, art has lost its allure to the younger affluent class, who prefer to spend on things that provide immediate gratification and social visibility. The irony, of course, is that while art offers permanence and enduring value, the ephemeral pleasures of a sports car or a luxury villa depreciate rapidly, both in monetary and symbolic terms.

The Decline of the Collector Class

The role of the collector as a cultural custodian is nearing extinction. Few among the younger generation aspire to become connoisseurs or engage with the art market beyond treating art as décor. With the death of the collector class, the art world loses its most essential patrons—those who purchase not just to possess but to preserve. Even institutions like galleries and museums feel the sting, struggling to attract serious buyers amidst the changing consumer mindset.

Art’s New Place: The Background

Art today is increasingly relegated to background noise—an ornament for high-end homes or a conversation piece at cocktail parties. It serves more as a prop than a statement, more for ambiance than for contemplation. This relegation signifies not just a loss for artists, galleries, and institutions, but for society at large. A civilization without art at its core risks becoming hollow. When we neglect art, we sideline human expression, empathy, and introspection—the very elements that enrich our shared existence.

The Need to Revive the Prestige of Art

If art is to reclaim its prestige, the shift must come from both creators and collectors. Art institutions must work harder to engage younger audiences meaningfully, emphasizing the lasting impact that art can have beyond financial returns. Collectors, too, must rediscover the joy in curating a collection that reflects their individuality, not just their bank accounts. It is time to remind society that art is not an optional luxury but an essential part of the human experience.

In the end, the prestige of art lies not just in possession but in participation. The true collector is one who sees beyond the market price, who invests not only money but time, emotion, and intellect. Without such collectors, art risks becoming a relic of a bygone era—a museum piece rather than a living, breathing force. The question is, will the next generation rise to the challenge, or will art become yet another casualty in the relentless pursuit of fleeting status?

In recent years, there has been a noticeable revival of traditional artistic mediums such as textiles, printmaking, and sculpture. These practices, once considered niche or outdated in the face of newer digital forms, are returning with renewed significance in contemporary art. This revival is not merely nostalgic; it reflects a deeper movement toward reconnecting with craftsmanship, materiality, and storytelling. As artists explore these mediums in new ways—while also developing innovative derivatives—this resurgence signals a shift in artistic values, emphasizing process, heritage, and sustainability.

Why Are Traditional Mediums Making a Comeback?

Several cultural and social factors contribute to the return of traditional art forms. There is a growing desire among artists and audiences to reconnect with tactile experiences in an increasingly digital world. The act of creating with one’s hands—whether through weaving, carving, or printing—offers a slower, meditative process that contrasts with the speed of technology. Additionally, as society becomes more conscious of sustainability, many artists are turning to time-honored techniques that use natural, eco-friendly materials.

The revival also reflects a pushback against the commodification of art. Unlike digital works, which can be easily reproduced, traditional mediums often produce unique, labor-intensive pieces. This focus on craftsmanship brings new depth to contemporary art, encouraging artists to celebrate imperfections, materiality, and process.

Textile Art: Beyond Craft into Fine Art

Textile-based art, once relegated to the category of craft, has re-emerged as a respected fine art medium. Contemporary artists use techniques such as weaving, embroidery, and quilting to explore themes of identity, history, and memory. Many also draw on traditional textile practices specific to their cultural heritage, blending these techniques with modern narratives.

Artists like Anni Albers paved the way by treating textiles as abstract art forms, and today’s practitioners are expanding on her legacy. Others use discarded or repurposed fabrics, turning textile art into a statement on sustainability. Textile works are not just visually rich but also tactile, inviting viewers to engage with them through both sight and touch, offering a sensory experience that is rare in contemporary art.

Printmaking: Tradition Meets Experimentation

Printmaking has a long history, but contemporary artists are finding ways to innovate within the medium. Techniques such as woodcuts, etching, and lithography are being revisited with a modern twist, often combined with digital methods to create hybrid prints. Printmaking also holds appeal because of its accessibility—artists can create multiple impressions, making it more democratic than many other art forms.

More importantly, the process of printmaking embodies a sense of patience and craftsmanship. The tactile interaction with plates, presses, and ink offers artists a grounded experience that contrasts with the immediacy of digital work. Screen printing—popularized by artists like Andy Warhol—continues to evolve, blending fine art with street culture and activism.

Printmakers today often use their art to explore personal and political themes, creating works that convey layers of meaning through intricate textures and repetition. Printmaking’s ability to produce multiples opens opportunities for collaborations with communities, making it a popular tool for socially engaged art.

Sculpture: Expanding into New Territories

Sculpture, traditionally associated with stone or bronze, is experiencing a renaissance as artists experiment with diverse materials such as clay, glass, recycled objects, and even organic matter. This material diversity reflects the expanded scope of contemporary sculpture, which now explores everything from environmental concerns to personal narratives.

Beyond the material, artists are pushing the boundaries of what sculpture can be. Installation art, for example, blurs the line between sculpture and space, transforming entire environments into immersive experiences. Kinetic sculptures introduce movement, while sound sculptures use vibrations and acoustics as part of their form. This evolution makes sculpture a dynamic, evolving practice that engages all the senses.

Derivatives of Traditional Mediums: Where Craft Meets Innovation

One of the most exciting aspects of the revival is the way artists blend traditional practices with contemporary techniques to create new forms. For example, fiber artists are combining weaving and embroidery with video projections, turning textiles into interactive installations. Similarly, sculptors might integrate robotics or sensors into their works, creating pieces that respond to the viewer’s presence.

In printmaking, artists are merging analog and digital techniques—creating works that begin with hand-carved linocuts and end as digital prints on fabric or ceramics. The fusion of old and new not only pushes the boundaries of these mediums but also challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art, craft, and design.

What This Revival Means for Contemporary Art

The resurgence of textiles, printmaking, and sculpture speaks to a broader shift in contemporary art toward authenticity, material engagement, and process-driven practices. These mediums encourage artists and audiences alike to slow down and appreciate the labor and care embedded in each piece. They also highlight the value of imperfection—something that contrasts with the polish of digital art.

This revival aligns with the growing interest in sustainability. Many artists use traditional techniques to work with natural or recycled materials, reducing their environmental impact. This movement also reconnects contemporary artists with their cultural heritage, bridging past and present through the use of ancient practices in modern contexts.

Conclusion: A Revival Rooted in Purpose and Innovation

The revival of traditional mediums like textiles, printmaking, and sculpture reflects a desire to reconnect with materiality, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. These mediums offer artists opportunities to innovate while maintaining a sense of authenticity and engagement with process. Whether through the tactile richness of textile art, the patience of printmaking, or the evolving forms of sculpture, these practices invite viewers to slow down, reflect, and connect more deeply with art.

As artists continue to explore the intersections between tradition and innovation, they are redefining what these mediums can be. This revival is not simply about returning to the past; it is about building bridges between old and new, finding relevance in ancient practices, and pushing them into uncharted territories. In doing so, traditional mediums are not only surviving—they are thriving, offering contemporary art a renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and connection.